Mathew Masinge
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Tapiwa Matienga (41) of Budiriro, in Harare, to eight months in prison for unlawful possession of unregistered medicines.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA) said Matienga was intercepted on August 17 while concealing the contraband in five drums.
The NPAZ said the medicines were found when luggage from a Diamond Route Coaches bus was offloaded and scanned.
“The seized stock included 96 bottles of Benylin cough syrup, 620 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup, 243 Astra painkillers and five bottles of Stilpant cough syrup, with an estimated street value of US$4,820,” said the NPA.
“The bus crew identified Matienga as the owner of the drums, leading to his arrest. The NPA strongly condemns the smuggling of unlicensed medicines, warning that once on the streets, the drugs are abused and destroy lives and communities, and we urge law enforcement and the public to unite in eradicating this criminal trade.”
